Mariam Nasser Aljaafari¹, Shun-Kai Yang², Aisha Abushelaibi³, Maryam Sultan Alhosani¹, John Edward van der Graaf¹, Kok-Song Lai¹, Swee-Hua-Erin Lim^1,

Functional foods contain a specific ingredient that claims to improve health. Many studies have been done to prove the beneficial effects of these foods, which led to manufacturers’ increased focus on the concept of functional food. In this review, we will discuss the concept of functional foods and their effects on health and distinguish the functional components, such as prebiotics and probiotics, in terms of their uses and special benefits. Moreover, we will provide background information on the global market for functional foods focusing on the Middle East and Asia, including the latest studies on probiotics, prebiotics, and their prospects.

Asia, functional foods, Middle East, prebiotics, probiotics